Antitheft case

ABSTRACT

An antitheft device is provided to a case for storing a commodity therein so as to protect the commodity from being taken out of the case without permission. The case is composed of a box having an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity and a lid which opens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges. A through hole is formed on the necessary position of the peripheral walls which overlap with each other inside and outside the peripheral edges of the box and the lid or which oppose each other in such a manner that the key member can be inserted to or extracted from the through hole. In order to make use of the key member for protecting the case from being opened, it is possible to provide continuous convex-concave portions that are engaged with each other in the necessary regions on the surface where the opposite side edge of the key member opposes the open edge of the through hole. It is also possible to provide a through hole on the necessary position on one of the peripheral walls overlapping with each other inside and outside of the peripheral edges of the box and the lid in such a manner that the key member can be inserted and extracted and can establish the latch relation, whereas to provide a cut portion for avoiding the collision with the key member so as to secure the closing of the case on the other peripheral wall. A latch means is provided at the end of the key member, the latch means establishing the latch relation with the cut portion formed on either the box or the lid at the time of the completion of the insertion of the key member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an antitheft device whichprotects commodities for rent or sale put in the individual cases, suchas audio or visual CDs and video tapes and game software from beingtaken out of the cases and out of a shop without permission and whichalso protects the cases from being pried open by applying an excessiveforce thereto in the opening direction. The invention also relates to acase equipped with such a device.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] In rental shops, as is well known, displaying rental commoditiesput in the individual cases might stimulate some customers to steal thembecause of the absence of measures to protect the cases from beingopened.

[0005] Therefore, to prevent thefts, they display empty cases in a shopand when the customer brings an empty case to the counter, the clerkfetches the corresponding commodity from a storage place and rents it tohim/her.

[0006] Adopting this system can protect rental commodities from beingstolen because customers never have a chance of touching the commoditiesdirectly.

[0007] However, it is extremely troublesome for the clerk to locaterental commodities requested by the customer in the storage place and tokeep the storage place well-ordered, which causes various problems suchas hindering a smooth renting process and demanding a large storageplace.

[0008] These problems could be solved by displaying rental commoditiesput in the individual cases in a shop and making the customer take adesired rental commodity out of the case and bring it to the counter forthe renting process.

[0009] However, this system might stimulate some customers to takerental commodities out of the cases and out of the shop withoutpermission because they can directly touch rental commodities.

[0010] Such stealing could be further encouraged by the simple structureof the case for storing a commodity consisting of a box and a lidwithout any measure to prevent the opening of the lid.

[0011] To prevent thefts, each rental commodity is attached with anantitheft tag in an arbitrary position, the tag having a unique ID codewithout a mains power supply. A predetermined high-frequencyelectromagnetic field is provided at the gate of the shop. When acustomer leaves the shop through the gate with a rental commodity, theresonance circuit of the ID code resonates to transmit the unique IDcode and detects the modulation of the high-frequency electromagneticfield so as to detect the passing of the rental commodity. The clerkmonitors whether it is rented or taken out without permission.

[0012] However, there is an inconvenience that unless the ID code (tag)is shielded by any method during the renting process at the counter,commodities rented according to the predetermined procedure are alsodetected as having been taken out without permission.

[0013] This requires a troublesome shielding process, and various goodsnecessary for shielding greatly increase the cost.

[0014] The aforementioned problems are not restricted to rentalcommodities but hold true to various kinds of commodities for sale suchas clothes, accessories, and daily necessities when they are attachedwith a tag to be protected from being stolen.

[0015] In order to solve these problems, Japanese Laid-open PatentPublication No. 2002-080086 (Publication date: Mar. 19, 2002) disclosesan antitheft device in which a key member is designed to be insertedinto a through hole formed on the peripheral walls of the box and thelid which overlap each other on the inner and outer peripheral edges ofthe box and the lid when the case is closed, and the inserted key memberprevents the case from being opened and the commodity inside from beingtaken out of the case.

[0016] The key member is attached with an antitheft tag for protectingthe commodity from being taken out of a shop with the case.

[0017] On the surface where the key member and the case oppose eachother is provided a locking means which is pressed back when the keymember is inserted and brought into the engagement relation with the keymember when the insertion of the key member is completed. The engagementrelation between the locking means and the key member prevents the keymember from being pulled out.

[0018] It goes without saying that the release of the engagementrelation is done by inserting the releasing tool of the shop and bypulling out the key member with the releasing tool.

[0019] In the antitheft device of this type, the surface where theinserted key member and the through hole of the case oppose each otherforms a straight line.

[0020] This allows something with a flat tip such as minus driver to beforced into the straight surface and to be twisted until the case isdamaged, or allows the minus driver tip to be pressed strongly onto thekey member in the releasing direction.

[0021] The driver tip may damage the locking means in the engagementrelation with the key member or release the engagement relation.

[0022] This structure is responsible for the theft of commodities put incases.

[0023] Even the case shown in FIG. 9 which is composed of a box and alid and is provided with a temporary locking means to prevent the lidfrom being opened, the peripheral walls of the box and the lid aredirectly butted with each other, allowing the tip of a minus driver tobe forced into between the directly butted edges.

[0024] This allows the case to be opened by twisting the driver.

[0025] When the case composed of a box 101, a lid 102, and appropriatehinges is in the closed condition, the inner peripheral wall 103 of thebox 101 and the outer peripheral wall 104 of the lid 102 overlap witheach other inside and outside as shown in FIG. 22, if an externalpressure is applied to the box 101 and the lid 102 in the directionindicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 23, then there is a phenomenon thatthe outer peripheral wall 104 bends outwardly.

[0026] This phenomenon becomes more serious as the external pressure isstronger.

[0027] As a result, a finger tip or a driver can be easily forced intothe space formed inside the outer peripheral wall, thereby furtherbending the outer peripheral wall outside to finally open the case.

[0028] The case could be forcibly opened by pressing a finger tip intobetween the outer and inner peripheral walls after the externalperipheral wall is bent outside, and by hooking the pressed finger tipon the open edge of the outer or inner peripheral wall and pulling itout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Thus the present invention has an objective of protecting thecase from being opened without permission so as to prevent the theft ofa commodity in the case and another objective of solving theaforementioned problems.

[0030] In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the presentinvention adopts an antitheft device comprising a case composed of a boxhaving an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and alid which opens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges, the casehaving a through hole formed on a position where the peripheral edges ofthe box and the lid overlap with each other inside and outside or on anecessary position of the peripheral walls which oppose each other, anda key member inserted into the through hole in an extractable manner soas to prevent the case from being opened, wherein convex-concaveportions are formed in such a manner as to be continuously engaged witheach other in necessary regions on the surface where the peripheral edgeof the end portion of the key member in the inserted condition opposesthe open edge of the through hole.

[0031] It is also probable to adopt an antitheft case comprising a boxhaving an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and alid which opens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges, whereinconvex-concave portions are formed in such a manner as to becontinuously engaged with each other either on the surface where theperipheral walls are butted with each other in an exposed manner whileoverlapping inside and outside at the peripheral edges of the box andthe lid, or on the open surface of the outer peripheral wall inpredetermined regions on the surface of either one of the box and thelid.

[0032] It is also probable to adopt an antitheft case comprising a boxhaving an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and alid which opens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges, whereinholding-down means are formed on predetermined regions on the peripheralwalls which overlap with each other inside and outside of the box andthe lid of the antitheft case, the holding-down means preventing theopen edge of the outer peripheral wall from being bent outwards when anexternal pressure is applied onto the surface of the antitheft case fromat least one direction.

[0033] It is also probable to adopt an antitheft case comprising a boxhaving an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and alid which opens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges, whereinconvex-concave portions are formed on the necessary regions on at leaseone open edge of the peripheral walls which overlap inside and outsideof the box and the lid of the anti theft case, the convex-concaveportions being designed to cause pain in a finger when someone tries topry them open.

[0034] The present invention also adopts a case comprising a box havingan opening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and a lid whichopens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges, wherein a throughportion is formed on one of necessary positions which overlap with eachother inside and outside the peripheral edges of the box and the lid,the through portion making a key member pass through it in anextractable manner and establish a latch relation, and a collisionprevention portion is formed on the other necessary position in order tosecure the closing of the case by avoiding the collision with the keymember; and a latch means is provided at the end of the key member withwhich to establish a latch relation so as to prevent the opening of thecase at the time of the completion of the insertion of the key member.

[0035] It is also probable to adopt a case comprising a box having anopening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and a lid whichopens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges, wherein a pair ofcollision prevention portions are formed on a necessary position on theperipheral walls which overlap with each other or oppose each otherinside and outside the peripheral edges of the box and the lid, the pairof collision prevention portions facing inward from the open edge of theperipheral walls, and a latch means is provided at the end of the keymember with which to establish a latch relation so as to allow the keymember to be inserted between the collision prevention portions in adetectable manner and to prevent the opening of the case at the time ofthe completion of the insertion of the key member.

[0036] It is also probable that the case include: bolt hooking portionswhich are dotted inside the side edges of the box and the lid that areopposite to the sides having the hinges, and which have bolt insertionportions arranged in series along the side edges of the case when it isin the closed condition; the through portion of the key member and thecollision prevention portion being formed somewhere closer to the bolthook portions on the peripheral walls between the hinges and the bolthooking portions; and a bolt member formed on the key member, the boltmember passing through all the bolt insertion portions aligned to make alatched condition when the key member has been inserted. It is alsoprobable that the case includes: bolt hooking portions which are dottedinside the side edges of the box and the lid that are opposite to thesides having the hinges, and which have bolt insertion portions arrangedin series along the side edges of the case when it is in the closedcondition; passing collision prevention portion of the key member beingformed somewhere closer to the bolt hook portions on the peripheralwalls between the hinges and the bolt hooking portions; and a boltmember formed on the key member, the bolt member passing through all thebolt insertion portions aligned to make a latched condition when the keymember has been inserted.

[0037] The present invention also adopts a case comprising a box havingan opening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and a lid whichopens and closes the opening via appropriate hinges, wherein bolthooking portions are dotted inside the edges of the sides of the box andthe lid that can be opened and closed, and which have bolt insertionportions aligned along the side edges of the case when the case is inthe closed condition; a through portion is formed to make a key memberpass through it and be inserted in an extractable manner into theperipheral walls between the hinges and the side edges that can beopened and closed and a bolt member which passes through all the boltinsertion portions aligned to make a latched condition when the keymember has been inserted.

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will be described asfollows, based on the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 1.

[0040]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the key member and the case.

[0041]FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the case where thekey member has been inserted.

[0042]FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view of the same.

[0043]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the main part of the same.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a partial front view showing the use of a releasingtool.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same.

[0046]FIG. 8 is another vertical cross-sectional view of the same.

[0047]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 2.

[0048]FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same.

[0049]FIG. 11 is a magnified plan view showing the main part of thesame.

[0050]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of theconvex-concave portions.

[0051]FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of theconvex-concave portions.

[0052]FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing further another example ofthe convex-concave portions.

[0053]FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view showing further anotherexample of the convex-concave portions.

[0054]FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the case of Embodiment 3.

[0055]FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the closed case.

[0056]FIG. 18 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view showing the mainpart of the same.

[0057]FIG. 19 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view showing the mainpart of another example.

[0058]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention.

[0059]FIG. 21 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view showing the mainpart of the same.

[0060]FIG. 22 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view showing aconventional case.

[0061]FIG. 23 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view when an externalforce is applied on the case.

[0062]FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 5.

[0063]FIG. 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main partof the same.

[0064]FIG. 26 is a partial front view showing the main part of the same.

[0065]FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing another example of the latchmeans.

[0066]FIG. 28 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main partof the same.

[0067]FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 6.

[0068]FIG. 30 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main partof the same.

[0069]FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing an example of the latchmeans.

[0070]FIG. 32 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the latchcondition.

[0071]FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing another example of the latchmeans.

[0072]FIG. 34 is a development plan view of the case in Embodiment 7.

[0073]FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the main part of the same.

[0074]FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the key member.

[0075]FIG. 37 is a partial front view of the case where the key memberhas been inserted.

[0076]FIG. 38 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view of the same.

[0077]FIG. 39 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the same.

[0078]FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing another example of the bolthooking portions.

[0079]FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the same.

[0080]FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 8.

[0081]FIG. 43 is a perspective view showing another example of thethrough portion.

[0082]FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing Embodiment 9.

[0083]FIG. 45 is a partial front view of the case where the key memberhas been inserted.

[0084]FIG. 46 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan view of the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0085] In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to5, a case “A” is composed of a box 2 having an opening 1 through whichto insert or to extract a commodity “a” and a lid 4 for opening andclosing the opening 1 via appropriate hinges 3. The box 2 and the lid 4have respective main walls 5,5 integrated with peripheral walls 6, 6which overlap or oppose each other inside and outside.

[0086] The hinges 3 include a half-cut hinge 3 provided on the bottomside of the peripheral wall 6 of the box 2 in order to connect thebottom side with the main wall 5 of the lid 4, so as to separate, forexample, both ends of the bottom side of the peripheral wall 6 of thebox 2 from the bottom edges of both sides of the peripheral wall 6, andalso include a half-cut hinge 3 provided on the border of the bottomside of the peripheral wall 6 and the main wall 5 of the box 2 so as toopen the box 2 and the lid 4 flat. This is not the only structureallowable and the case can be opened by using separate hinges or pinhinges composed of holes and an axis.

[0087] On the predetermined positions of the peripheral walls 6, 6 ofthe box 2 and the lid 4 are provided through holes 7, 7 into which a keymember 8 is inserted in an extractable manner so as to protect the casefrom being opened.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 2 the through holes 7, 7 formed on theperipheral walls 6, 6 are composed of long holes formed on the innerperipheral wall 6; cuttings formed from the open edge of the outerperipheral wall 6 towards the main wall 5 of the lid 4; and an L-shapedlatch piece 27 provided to guide the insertion of the key member 8through inside the main wall 5 of the lid 4 and to hold both side edgesof the key member 8.

[0089] A commodity “a” such as a disk or another article for rent orsale put in the case “A” in which the key member has been thus insertedcannot be taken out, thereby preventing a stealing.

[0090] The key member 8 is not restricted to the plate-shape asillustrated, but can be an angular axis, for example.

[0091] In short, it is essential to protect the lid 4 from being openedfrom the box 2 by inserting the key member 8 into the through holes 7,7.

[0092] It is also possible to provide the through holes 7,7 on the edgeswhere both peripheral walls 6,6 oppose each other or on the butted edgesof the projecting walls that project from the main wall 5, other thanthe top-side peripheral walls 6 overlapping each other inside andoutside.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 3, a guide means 9 of the key member 8 can beprovided between the inner surfaces of the main walls 5 of the box 2 andthe lid 4 so as to make the key member 8 be inserted or and extractedsmoothly.

[0094] Furthermore, continuous convex-concave portions 10 to be engagedwith each other are provided on the necessary regions on the surfacewhere the peripheral edge of the side of the key member 8 opposite toits insertion direction opposes the open edge of the through hole 7.

[0095] Because of the provision of the continuous convex-concaveportions 10, as shown in FIG. 5, even when the tip of a tool K such as aminus driver is tried to be forced into the engaged regions between thethrough hole 7 and the key member 8, the tip of the tool K is hooked byconvex-concave edges of the convex-concave portions 10. As a result, theengaged regions are protected from being pried open and damaged when thetool K is stuck and twisted into the peripheral wall 6, therebyprotecting the case “A” from being forcibly opened.

[0096] The sticking of the tool K into the engaged regions can beprevented more effectively by making the length of projection of theconvex-concave portions 10, the depth of the concaves, and the widths ofthe concaves and the convexes smaller than the length of the flat andsharp edge of the tool K.

[0097] It is obvious that the shape of the convex-concave portions 10 isnot restricted to the one shown in FIG. 5 but can be the saw-teeth shownin FIG. 13 or the waveform shown in FIG. 14.

[0098] It is possible to form the convex-concave portions 10 on theplate surface of the key member 8, the edge of the through hole 7, thekey member 8 and the main wall 5 of the case “A”, for example, as shownin FIG. 15, on both on the top surface of the step portion 61 which islowered from the through hole 7 inside the main wall 5 of the case “A”and the bottom surface of the step portion 61 which is laid on the topsurface when the end of the key member 8 is fitted in the step portion61.

[0099] The key member 8 can be attached with an antitheft tag 11 by anadhesion means such as glue as shown in FIG. 2 or an embedding meansused for molding.

[0100] As is well known, the tag 11 has a unique ID code without a mainspower supply. When a customer passes through the gate of a shop with thecase “A” into which the key member 8 with the tag 11 has been inserted,the resonance circuit of the ID code resonates to transmit the unique IDcode. The high-frequency electromagnetic field is modulated to detectthe passing of the case “A”.

[0101] The clerk of the shop monitors whether it is taken out withoutpermission or not so as to protect the commodity “a” from being stolenwith the case “A”.

[0102] The following is a description of the returning of the key member8 in the shop and the means for engaging the inserted key member 8 withthe case “A”.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 2, a flange 12 is provided at the end of the keymember 8 in such a manner as to be fitted into the through hole 7 whenthe key member 8 is completely inserted, and the convex-concave portions10 are formed on both the flange 12 and the through hole 7.

[0104] The flange 12 is designed to project from both plate surfaces ofthe key member 8 and the side edges of the plate surfaces; however, itcould be designed to project exclusively from one plate surface of thekey member 8.

[0105] It would be possible to form the convex-concave portions 10 onthe plate surface of the key member 8 that has no flange 12.

[0106] Since the flange 12 has a large width, the width between the mainwall 5 of the through hole 7 of the outer peripheral wall 6 and theopening of the lid 4 can be so designed to fit the flange 12 thereinwhen the through hole 7 is a long hole, whereas when the through hole 7is the above-mentioned cutting, the flange 12 can be fitted into thecutting.

[0107] On the surface where the case “A” and the key member 8 opposeeach other, to be more specific, on the inner surface of the main wall 5of the box 2 and on the plate surface of the key member 8 shown in FIG.2 are provided locking means B which are pressed back when the keymember 8 is inserted and is automatically brought into the engagementrelation at the time of the completion of the insertion.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the locking means B are composedof inverted U-shaped slits 21 which are formed on the plate surface ofthe key member 8 in such a manner that the insides of the slits 21project towards the main wall 5 of the lid 4; locking hooks 22 whichobtain the strength of stability from a property of the synthetic resinfrom which the key member 8 is made; and the inner surface of the innerperipheral wall 6 as an engaging section 23 which presses back thelocking hooks 22 by the edge of the through hole 7 immediately beforethe completion of the insertion of the key member 8 and with which theend of the locking hooks 22 in the projection direction is engaged whenthe locking hooks 22 are freed from the pressing back at the completionof the insertion of the key member 8. Other than this structure,separate locking hooks could be glued to the key member 8, or theengaging section 23 could be provided on the main wall 5 of the box 2 inthe form of a projection.

[0109] The number of the locking hooks 22 is not limited to two to beformed on the left and the right in the drawing, but can be determinedfreely. It is also possible to provide the engaging section 23 on thelid 4 side.

[0110] After the opening 1 of the box 2 is closed by the lid 4, the keymember 8 is inserted into the coincided through holes 7, 7.

[0111] In response to the insertion of the key member 8, the lockinghooks 22 are pressed back by the edge of the through hole 7, and as theresult of the completion of the engagement of the through hole 7 on theouter peripheral edge 6, that is, as the result of the key member 8passing through the through hole 7, the locking hooks 22 released fromthe edge of the through hole 7 are restored and hooked by the engagingsection 23, thereby bringing the engaging section 23 and the lockinghooks 22 into the engagement relation as shown in FIG. 3.

[0112] This engagement prevents the key member 8 from being pulled outby someone other than the clerk of the shop, thereby protecting thecommodity “a” in the case “A” from being stolen.

[0113] The following is a description of the removal of the key member 8from the case “A” by the clerk with a releasing tool C.

[0114] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the releasing tool C, whichincludes projecting pieces 34, a plate 33, and a grip 32, is positionedright above the locking hooks 22 of the flange 12, and the projectingpieces 34 are stuck into the long hole 31 of the key member 8.

[0115] The stuck projecting pieces 34, when passing through the cuttings35 that face inwards from the center portions of the ends of the lockinghooks 22 in the projection direction, are pressed back by the contactbetween the bottom edges of the cuttings 35 and the tapered surface 36provided on the projecting pieces 34 on the locking hooks 22 side.

[0116] The engagement between the locking hooks 22 and the engagingsection 23 shown in FIG. 3 is released by the locking hooks 22 beingdetached from the engaging section 23 as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, thekey member 8 can be taken out by pulling the releasing tool C in thedirection indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 8.

[0117] Since the locking hooks 22 are pressed against the projectingpieces 34 by the strength of stability which affects on the lockinghooks 22 pressed back as the result of the release of the engagement ofthe locking hooks 22, the friction due to the pressing enables the keymember 8 to be pulled out together with the releasing tool C.

[0118] To secure the removal, as shown in FIG. 8, a through window 37coinciding with the through hole 7 is provided next to the long hole 31of the flange 12, and a protruding piece 38 that projects from the plate33 is stuck into the through window 37 and the through hole 7.

[0119] An inverted U-shaped slit 39 is provided in the protruding piece38 and the inside of the slit 39 is made to project to the key member 8side for the same function as the locking hooks 22 so as to provide ahooking piece 40.

[0120] The key member 8 and the like are provided with a latch section41 having a concave or a through hole into which the tip of the hookingpiece 40 in the projection direction is fitted when the protruding piece38 has been completely stuck.

[0121] It is beyond question that the hooking piece 40 can be formed onthe key member 8, and the latch section 41 can be formed on theprotruding piece 38.

[0122] The hooking piece 40 which gets in contact with the key member 8while the protruding piece 38 is being stuck is pressed back, whichmakes the hooking piece 40 and the latch section 41 be coincided witheach other at the time of releasing the engagement of the locking hooks22 and the engaging section 23. As a result, the hooking piece 40 freedfrom the pressing back is returned and engaged with the latch section 41as shown in FIG. 8.

[0123] When the releasing tool C is pulled out, the key member 8 is alsopulled out without fail.

[0124] The key member 8 thus pulled out is kept in the shop for reuseand the case “A” from which the key member 8 has been pulled out is usedto encase a commodity for rent or sale.

[0125] It goes without saying that no shield is necessary for the case“A” because it does not have the key member 8 with the tag 11.

[0126] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, pieces 42 projecting from theperipheral wall 6 are fitted into the side edges of the long hole 31 orthe through window 37, and the above-described convex-concave portions10 are formed on the surface where the pieces 42 oppose the open edgesof the long hole 31 or the through window 37 in such as manner as to beengaged with each other so as to prevent the insertion of the tool K.

[0127] The releasing tool C includes the projecting pieces 34 whichrelease the engagement relation and the protruding piece 38 having thehooking piece 40 to prevent the removal of the key member 8. However,when the locking means B is not provided to the case “A” and the keymember 8, the key member 8 can be designed to be pulled out by a specialremoval tool (not illustrated) having a projecting piece with a hookingpiece.

[0128] It is obvious that when the pieces 42 are fitted in the long hole31 or the through window 37, a space is left to allow the projectingpieces 34 and the protruding piece 38 to be passed through.

[0129] In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in the case “A”including the box 2 shown in FIGS. 9-11 and FIG. 1 and 2 of Embodiment 1and the lid 4 with the hinges 3 for opening and closing the opening 1 ofthe box 2, continuous convex-concave portions 10 are provided in thepredetermined regions on the surface where the peripheral walls arebutted each other in an exposed manner inside and outside of the case“A” or on the surface where the opening 1 (open surface) of the outerperipheral wall 6 opposes either the box 2 or the lid 4.

[0130] Although the convex-concave portions 10 are provided on theperipheral walls 6 not having the hinges 3 in Embodiments 1 and 2, theycould be provided on a desired peripheral wall 6.

[0131] The convex-concave portions 10 can be formed at the openingportion of the peripheral walls 6, 6 where a step “b” is formed as shownin FIGS. 11 and 12 so as to make the peripheral walls 6, 6 of the box 2and the lid 4 form a plane surface in Embodiment 2.

[0132] In Embodiment 1, the convex-concave portions 10 are formed on theopen edge surface of the outer peripheral wall 6 and the rear surface ofa side of the main wall 5.

[0133] The convex-concave portions 10 could be shaped like saw-teeth orwaveform (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14) as described in Embodiment 1.

[0134] Even if it is tried to pry open the case “A” by sticking a toolin the same manner as Embodiment 1, the convex-concave portions 10engaged with each other prevent it.

[0135] The reference numerical 51 in the drawing indicates a latch meanswhich is a bullet-splash type and is a combination of a concave portionand a projecting portion to be engaged with each other.

[0136] In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 16and 17, the case “A” is composed of the box 2 and the lid 4 for openingand closing the opening 1 of the box 2 via the hinges 3 to the box 2.

[0137] As shown in FIGS. 18, 19, and 21, there are holding-down means 61provided on the necessary regions on the peripheral walls 6, 6overlapping inside and outside of the box 2 and the lid 4 of the case“A”. The holding-down means 61 prevent the open edges of the outerperipheral wall 6 from being bent outwardly when an external pressure isapplied inwardly from at least one direction onto the surface where themain walls 5, 5 of the box 2 and the lid 4 of the case “A” oppose eachother.

[0138] Since the box 2, the lid 4, and the hinges 3 are the same asthose in Embodiment 1, their description will be omitted.

[0139] Similar to Embodiment 1, the case “A” is provided with thethrough holes 7,7 on both peripheral walls 6, 6 opposing the hinges 3,and the key member 8 is inserted into the through holes 7, 7 to protectthe commodity in the case “A” from being stolen.

[0140] The through holes 7, 7, the key member 8, the locking means B forpreventing the removal of the inserted key member 8 by someone otherthan the shop clerk are the same as in Embodiment 1, and the extractionof the key member 8 by the shop clerk with the use of the releasing toolC will be carried out in the same manner as in Embodiment 1.

[0141] It goes without saying that the key member 8 in Embodiment 3 ofthe present invention is not the only means available for protecting thecommodity in the case “A” from being stolen, and other methods could beemployed.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 18, the holding-down means 61 are formed inorder to protect the open edges of the outer peripheral wall 6 frombeing bent outwardly by an external pressure, and are provided withprojecting portions 62 which are integrated with and projected from themain wall 5 integrated with the inner peripheral wall 6 towards the openedges of the outer peripheral wall 6. In addition, tapered surfaceportions 63 are provided in such a manner as to overlap with each otheron the surfaces where the open edges of the outer peripheral wall 6 andthe projecting portions 62 oppose each other. Of the overlapping taperedsurface portions, the outside tapered surface portions 63 of theprojecting portions 62 are designed to press the inside tapered surfaceportions 63 of the outer peripheral wall 6; however, the tapered surfaceportions 63 can be replaced by a nest in which ridge portions areengaged inside and outside on the surfaces.

[0143] It is more effective in order to achieve the objective of thepresent invention that ridge portions 64 are provided in parallel on theouter peripheral wall 6 and that the inner peripheral wall 6 is fittedbetween the outer peripheral wall 6 and the ridge portions 64 as shownin FIG. 19.

[0144] According to the above-described structure, the holding-downmeans 61 can prevent the overlapping peripheral walls 6, 6 from beingbent towards outside the outer peripheral wall 6, even if an externalpressure is applied to the case “A”.

[0145] Although the holding-down means 61 are provided exclusively onthe parallel two sides not having the hinges 3 attached between theperipheral walls 6, 6 nor the insertion holes 7,7 into which the keymember 8 is inserted, they may be provided on the side having thethrough holes 7,7, besides the two sides.

[0146] In Embodiment 4 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 20and 21, the case “A” is composed of the box 2 and the lid 4 for openingand closing the opening 1 of the box 2 via the hinges 3.

[0147] Convex-concave portions 71, which are shaped to cause pain on afinger when it is stuck thereto, are provided on the necessary regionsof at least one open edge of the peripheral walls 6, 6 of the box 2 andthe lid 4 which overlap inside and outside of the case “A”.

[0148] The convex-concave portions 71 are in the form of saw-teeth inthe illustrated example, so when someone hooks a finger at the open edgeof the peripheral wall 6 and applies too much a force to the peripheralwall 6 in the direction of opening, the convex-concave portions 71 eatinto the finger to hurt it, thereby dissuading him/her from applying afurther force. The convex-concave portions 71 could be other thansaw-teeth as long as they are designed to eat into a finger.

[0149] The convex-concave portions 71 in the illustrated example areprovided in the open edges of both peripheral walls 6,6; however, theycould be exclusively provided on the open edge of one peripheral wall 6,that is, either the outer peripheral wall 6 or the inner peripheral wall6. It is also possible to additionally provide the holding-down means 61of Embodiment 3.

[0150] Since the box 2, the hinges 3, and the lid 4 composing the case“A” are the same as those in Embodiment 1, their description will beomitted.

[0151] In the same manner as Embodiment 1, the case “A” is provided withthe through holes 7,7 formed on the side of both peripheral walls 6, 6that opposes the hinges 3, and the key member 8 can be inserted into thethrough holes 7, 7 to prevent the theft of the commodity put in the case“A”.

[0152] The through holes 7, 7, the key member 8, the locking means B forpreventing the removal of the inserted key member 8 by someone otherthan the shop clerk are the same as in Embodiment 1, and the extractionof the key member 8 by the shop clerk with the use of the releasing toolC will not be explained because it is carried out in the same manner asin Embodiment 1.

[0153] It is obvious that the key member in Embodiment 4 of the presentinvention is not the only means available for protecting the commodityin the case “A” from being stolen, and other methods could be employed.

[0154] Although the convex-concave portions 71 are provided exclusivelyon the parallel two sides not having the hinges 3 nor the through holes7,7 in the case “A”, they may be provided on the side having the throughholes 7,7, besides the two sides.

[0155] The case “A” used in Embodiment 5 of the present invention iscomposed of a box 202 having an opening 201 through which the commodity“a” is inserted or extracted, and a lid 204 for opening and closing theopening 201 via appropriate hinges 203 is provided to the box 202.

[0156] The box 202 and the lid 204 are composed of a main wall 205 and aperipheral wall 206 which is integrated with the peripheral edges of themain wall 205 and which projects in the direction of the rear surface ofthe main wall 205. The peripheral wall 206 of the lid 204 is designed tobe fitted outside the peripheral wall 206 of the box 202; however, theycould be fitted oppositely.

[0157] The hinges 203 in the illustrated example are composed of ahalf-cut hinge 203 provided on the bottom side of the peripheral wall206 of the box 202 in order to be connected with the main wall 205 ofthe lid 204. This is not the only structure allowable, and it ispossible to employ, for example, hinges of an engagement type composedof an axis and holes.

[0158] A through portion 208 is provided in the necessary position onone of the peripheral walls 206, 206 overlapping inside and outside sothat the key member 207 can be inserted therein in an extractable mannerso as to establish a latch relation. A collision prevention section 209is provided on the other peripheral wall 206 to prevent a collision withthe key member 207 so as to secure the complete closing of the case “A”.

[0159] The through portion 208 is provided on the inner peripheral wall206 whereas the collision prevention section 209 is provided in the formof a cutting on the outer peripheral wall 206; however, it is alsopossible to provide the collision prevention section 209 on the innerperipheral wall 206 and to provide the through portion 208 on the outerperipheral wall 206. Although the through portion 208 is designed as along hole to agree with the appearance of the plate-like shape of thekey member 207, it could be another shape to agree with the appearanceof the key member 207 when it is an axial member or the like. It isobvious that the collision prevention section 209 can be, e.g. U-shapedso that the key member 207 can be smoothly inserted thereto.

[0160] At the end of the key member 207 is provided a latch means Dwhich establishes a latch relation with the box 202 or the lid 204 so asto prevent the opening when the insertion of the key member 207 has beencompleted.

[0161] The latch means D is composed of, for example, an L-shapedholding piece 210 integrated with the edge of the key member 207, theholding piece 210 being designed to be outwardly in contact with theperipheral wall 206 and the main wall 205 of the lid 204. However, it isalso possible to provide latch sections 211 in the form of through holesor concaves on the peripheral wall 206 having the collision preventionsection 209 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, and to provide L-shapedprojecting latch pieces 212 at the edge of the key member 207, therebyfitting the tips of the projecting latch pieces 212 in the latchsections 211 when the insertion of the key member 207 has beencompleted.

[0162] In short, it is essential to protect the case “A” from beingopened by inserting the key member 207.

[0163] It is beyond question that the latch means D is not limited tothe illustrated type.

[0164] The position of the latch means D is not limited to the top-sideperipheral wall 206 in the drawings but can be on the peripheral wall206 on both sides. The position of the holding piece 210, the latchsections 211 and the projecting latch pieces 212 is not restricted tothe middle of the peripheral wall 206; they can be positioned throughoutthe peripheral wall 206 or both end corners. It is also possible to holdboth corners by the holding piece 210.

[0165] Providing guide rails 213 inside the main wall 5 in order toguide both side edges of the key member 207 can make the insertion ofthe key member 207 smooth.

[0166] Embodiment 6 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.29-33, and as shown in FIG. 29 and 30, a pair of collision preventionsections 221, 221 are provided in such a manner as to face inwardly fromthe open edges of the peripheral walls 206, 206 on the necessary regionsof the peripheral walls 206, 206 of the box 202 and the lid 204 whichoverlap with each other or oppose each other inside and outside in thecase “A”, as in Embodiment 5. The key member 207 is inserted into thecollision prevention sections 221, 221 in an extractable manner.

[0167] Al though the peripheral walls 206, 206 having the collisionprevention sections 221, 221 are designed to overlap each other insideand outside in the illustrated example, their edges could be designed toface each other.

[0168] At the end of the key member 207 is provided a latch means Dwhich establishes a latch relation with the box 202 or the lid 204 so asto prevent the opening when the insertion of the key member 207 has beencompleted.

[0169] The arrangement of the case “A” and the latch means D is the sameas in Embodiment 5, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0170] It is obvious that inn Embodiment 6, the guide rails 213 areprovided to guide the insertion and extraction of the key member 207.

[0171] By providing the key member 207 and the case “A” of Embodiments 5and 6 with the locking means B which is pressed back at the time of theinsertion of the key member 207 and which is freed from the pressingback and is automatically brought into the latch relation at the time ofthe completion of the insertion, the key member 207 is prevented frombeing pulled out and then the commodity “a” put in the case “A” isprotected from being stolen by the customer.

[0172] The locking means B is released from the latch relation by usingthe releasing tool C of the shop, and the key member 207 is pulled outwith the releasing tool E and returned to the shop so that the case “A”can be used to put a commodity for rent or sale therein.

[0173] Such examples of the locking means B and the releasing means Care shown in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-080086(Publication date: Mar. 19, 2002) and Japanese Laid-open PatentPublication No. 2002-362668 (Publication date: Dec. 18, 2002),respectively. In FIGS. 31 and 32, for example, the locking means B iscomposed of a latch hook 231 provided on a side edge of the key member207 in such a manner that the degree of its projection increases in thedownward direction of the key member 207; and a latch hole 232 to whichthe latch hook 231 is fitted in the middle of a guide rail 213 so as toprotecting the key member 207 from being pulled out. The latch hook 231in contact with the guide rail 213 is pressed back when the key member207 is being inserted, and the latch hook 231 coincides with the latchhole 232 when the insertion of the key member 207 has been completed.Therefore, the latch hook 231 out of contact with the guide rail 213 isnot pressed back anymore, making the latch hook 231 be fitted into thelatch hole 232 automatically so as to establish a latch relation. Thus,the removal of the key member 207 is prevented.

[0174] The above-mentioned releasing tool E is inserted from the throughportion 208 which is the opening for insertion or from the collisionprevention sections 209, 221 towards the latch hook 231. A taperedprojecting piece 233 projecting from the end of the plate-shapedreleasing tool C is fitted between the projecting piece 234 projectingfrom the latch hook 231 towards the end of the key member 207 and theguide rail 213. The continuous fitting makes the latch hook 231 bereleased from the latch hole 232 (shifted from the position of the chainline to the position of the solid line in FIG. 32), thereby cancelingthe latch relation.

[0175] As a result, the key member 207 can be pulled out together withthe releasing tool C by abrasion resistance caused when the projectingpiece 234 is press-fitted with the projecting piece 233 due to thestrength of stability of the latch hook 231 at the time of removing thereleasing tool C.

[0176] When slipping is caused in the area of abrasion resistance, thekey member 207 and the releasing tool C can be pulled out concurrentlyby providing a projection 235 and a concave portion 236 engaged witheach other on the surface where the key member 207 and the releasingtool C oppose each other.

[0177] It is obvious that the structures of the hooking means D and thereleasing tool C are not limited to those described above.

[0178] The key member 207 having the unique ID code can be attached withan antitheft tag E by embedding or applying glue, the antitheft tag Emodulating the high-frequency electromagnetic field installed at thegate of the shop when the resonance circuit resonates and transmits theunique ID code. This can prevent the theft of a commodity with its case.

[0179] The through portion 208 and the collision prevention section 209of Embodiment 5 (FIGS. 24-28) and the collision prevention sections 221,221 of Embodiment 6 (FIGS. 29-33) are formed at the center of theperipheral walls 206, 206 in the illustrated example; however, they canbe formed according to the whole length of the peripheral walls 206,206, that is, the width of the key member 207.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 33, the projecting latch pieces 212 of the latchmeans D are formed at both sides of the edge of the key member 207, andthe projecting latch pieces 212 are fitted into the latch sections 211formed on the inner and outer peripheral walls 206, 206. As shown inFIG. 25, the projecting latch pieces 212 are not fitted into the latchsections 211 because they cover the main wall 205 from the peripheralwall 206.

[0181] Consequently, it becomes possible to avoid the latch release bybending the projecting latch pieces 212 with a tool. Thus, the effect ofpreventing the opening of the case “A” without permission can be furtherimproved.

[0182] According to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 34 to 39, similar to Embodiment 5, the case “A” is composed of abox 202 having an opening 201 for inserting and extracting a commodity“a” and a lid 204 for opening and closing the opening 201 viaappropriate hinges 203. Inside the edges of the sides of the box 202 andthe lid 204 that are opposite to the sides having the hinges 203 in thecase “A”, bolt insertion portions 241 are dotted, and bolt hook portions242 are arranged in series along the side edges of the case “A”.

[0183] The through portion 208 and the collision prevention section 209the same as in Embodiment 5 are arranged somewhere closer to the bolthook portions 242 on the peripheral walls 206, 206 which overlap witheach other inside and outside between the hinges 203 and the bolt hookportions 242 of the case “A”.

[0184] The key member 207 to be inserted into the through portion 208 inorder to close the case “A” is provided with a bolt member 243 whichsequentially passes through the bolt insertion portions 241 aligned asshown in FIG. 37 when the key member 207 is inserted.

[0185] Even if a force in the opening direction is applied on the edgeof the side opposite to the side having the hinges 203 in the case “A”,the bolt member 243 passing through the bolt insertion portion 241prevents the opening due to the latch relation between the bolt member243 and each of the bolt hooking portions 242.

[0186] It goes without saying that for the prevention of the opening ofthe case “A”, the key member 207 and the case “A” are also provided withthe same latch means D as in Embodiment 5, that is, a combination of theholding piece 210, the latch sections 211, and the projecting latchpieces 212.

[0187] Although the bolt hooking portions 242 having the bolt insertionportions 241 are dotted in the form of blocks with a trench as shown inFIGS. 34 and 35, they can be blocks having a through hole for an axialbolt member 243 to pass through as shown in FIG. 40 or U-shaped blocksfor the bolt member 243 to be held therein as shown in FIG. 41.

[0188] In short, it is essential that the inserted bolt member 243 andthe bolt hooking portions 242 establish the latch relation.

[0189] When the bolt hooking portions 242 are aligned while beingengaged with each other when the case “A” is closed, the bolt hookingportions 242 at both ends can be arranged at the corners of the case“A”, thereby applying stronger force at the corners to reinforce theprevention of the opening.

[0190] The locking means B which can release the latch relation by usingthe releasing tool C of Embodiments 5 and 6 can be provided on thesurface where the key member 207 equipped with the bolt member 243opposes the case “A” so as to prevent the bolt member 243 from beingpulled out together with the key member 207. This can protect the case“A” from being opened by the customer.

[0191] It is obvious that the key member 207 can be attached with theantitheft tag E of Embodiments 5 and 6 to protect the case “A” frombeing taken out of the shop.

[0192] Since each component in the case “A”, the locking means B, thereleasing tool C, and the guide rails 213 are the same as those inEmbodiments 5 and 6, their description will be omitted.

[0193] Besides the shape of the long hole, the through portion 208 canbe so designed that the longitudinal side edge of the long hole is cutexcept both ends so as to latch both side edges of the key member 207 byboth ends of the long hole.

[0194] According to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 42, in the case “A” equipped with the collision prevention sections221, 221 which oppose each other on the peripheral walls 206, 206 ofEmbodiment 6 (either the holding piece 212 is fitted into the key member207 or the projecting latch pieces 212 are fitted into the latchsections 211), the bolt hooking portions 242 and the bolt insertionportions 241 are formed on the box 202 and the lid 204 of the case “A”and the bolt member 243 is formed on the key member 207. The collisionprevention sections 221, 221 opposing each other are arranged somewherecloser to the bolt hook portions 242 on the peripheral walls 206, 206which overlap with each other inside and outside or oppose each otherbetween the hinges 203 and the bolt hook portions 241 of the case “A”.

[0195] As a result, when the key member 207 is inserted into thecollision prevention sections 221, 221 in the same manner as inEmbodiment 7, the bolt member 243 passes through the bolt insertionportions 241 composed of the bolt hooking portions 242.

[0196] Since the collision prevention sections 221, 221 do not have thelatch relation with the key member 207, in the same manner as inEmbodiment 6, for the prevention of the opening of the case “A”, the keymember 207 is equipped with the holding piece 210, or the key member 207and the peripheral wall 206 are provided with the latch means D composedof the projecting latch pieces 212 and the latch sections 211.

[0197] Since each component in the case “A”, the locking means B usingthe releasing tool C, the guide rails 213, the latch means D, the keymember 207, the antitheft tag C, and the bolt hooking portions 242having the bolt member 243 and the bolt insertion portions 241 are thesame as those in Embodiments 5, 6, and 7, their description will beomitted.

[0198] As shown in FIG. 43, the combination of the through portion 208and the collision prevention section 209 of Embodiments 7 and 8 or thecombination of the collision prevention sections 221, 221 can bereplaced by the through portion 208 so formed as to coincide with bothperipheral walls 206, 206, and the key member 207 equipped with the boltmember 243 related to the bolt insertion portions 241 can be insertedinto the through hole 208 to obtain the same effects.

[0199] According to Embodiment 9 of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 44-46, similar to Embodiments 5 and 6, the case “A” is composed ofa box 202 having an opening 201 for inserting and extracting a commodity“a” and a lid 204 for opening and closing the opening 201 viaappropriate hinges 203.

[0200] Inside the edges of the sides of the box 202 and the lid 204 thatare opposite to the sides having the hinges 203 in the case “A” arearranged bolt hook portions 242 having the same bolt insertion portions241 as those in Embodiment 7.

[0201] Since the box 202, the lid 204, the hinges 203, and the bolthooking portions 242 with the bolt insertion portions 241 in the case“A” are the same as those in Embodiments 5 and 7, their description willbe omitted.

[0202] A through portion 291 which allows the key member 207 to beinserted or extracted is provided on the peripheral wall 206 between thehinges 203 and the edge of the side of the case “A” that can be openedand closed.

[0203] The through portion 291 is provided only to insert the key member207 therein, and the side edge of the through portion 291 is not in thelatch relation with the key member 207 at the time of inserting the keymember 207. This means that the case “A” is in the condition of beingable to be opened.

[0204] Therefore, the key member 207 is equipped with a bolt member 243which passes through all the bolt insertion portions 241 of the bolthooking portions 242 aligned as in Embodiments 7 and 8 at the time ofinserting the key member 207.

[0205] Thus the bolt member 243 can prevent the side edge of the case“A” from being opened as in Embodiments 7 and 8.

[0206] Guiding the opposite side edge of the bolt member 243 of the keymember 207 by providing the guide rails 213 inside the case “A” can makethe insertion of the key member 207 smooth, and can also offer theeffect as a bolt when the guide rails 213 are formed on both the box 202and the lid 204.

[0207] Providing the locking means B which can release the latchrelation by using the same releasing tool E of Embodiments 5 and 6 onthe key member 207 and the case “A” can protect the key member 207 frombeing pulled out by the customer. It is also possible to attach the sameantitheft tag E as in Embodiment 6 to the key member 207.

[0208] The bolt member 243 is the same as that in Embodiments 7 and 8,and the locking means B and the releasing tool C are the same as thosein Embodiment 6, so their description will be omitted.

[0209] The through portion 291 in the illustrated example is designed insuch a manner that the peripheral wall 206 is partly cut and the flange293 formed at the edge of the key member 207 is fitted into the convexportion 292 formed on the surface of the peripheral wall 206; however,the through portion 291 could be designed differently.

[0210] According to the antitheft device of the present invention, theengagement of the convex-concave portions on the surface where theinserted key member and the through hole of the case oppose each other,or on the flange of the key member and the edge of the through hole canprotect the case from being opened with a tool and the commodity in thecase from being stolen.

[0211] The same effects can be obtained from the convex-concave portionsformed on the peripheral walls of the case.

[0212] The holding-down means can prevent the outer peripheral wall frombeing bent outwards when an external pressure is applied on theoverlapping peripheral walls, thereby preventing the peripheral wallfrom being forcibly bent to pry open the case.

[0213] Even if someone hooks a finger at the peripheral wall 6 to pryopen the case, the convex-concave portions 71 eat into the finger tohurt it, thereby dissuading him/her from forcibly opening the case.

[0214] According to the present invention, the case can be preventedfrom being forcibly opened because of the presence of the latch meanscomposed of the inserted key member and the box or the lid, therebypreventing the theft of the commodity put in the case.

[0215] In addition, the key member pulled out is kept in the shop toreuse the case “A” to store a commodity for rent or sale. Since the boltmember formed on the key member passes through the bolt insertionportions of the bolt hooking portions of the box and the lid, the boltmember can prevent the opening even if a force is applied on the edge ofthe side opposite to the side having the hinges, thereby preventing thetheft of the commodity in the case.

What is claimed is:
 1. An antitheft device comprising a case composed ofa box having an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity,and a lid which opens and closes said opening via appropriate hinges,said case having a through hole formed on a position where theperipheral edges of said box and said lid overlap with each other insideand outside or on a necessary position of the peripheral walls whichoppose each other, and a key member inserted into said through hole inan extractable manner so as to prevent the case from being opened,wherein convex-concave portions are formed in such a manner as to becontinuously engaged with each other in necessary regions on the surfacewhere the peripheral edge of the end portion of said key member in theinserted condition opposes the open edge of said through hole.
 2. Anantitheft case comprising a box having an opening from which to insertand extract a commodity, and a lid which opens and closes said openingvia appropriate hinges, wherein convex-concave portions are formed insuch a manner as to be continuously engaged with each other either onthe surface where the peripheral walls are butted with each other in anexposed manner while overlapping inside and outside at the peripheraledges of said box and said lid, or on the open surface of the outerperipheral wall in predetermined regions on the surface of either one ofsaid box and said lid.
 3. An antitheft case comprising a box having anopening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and a lid whichopens and closes said opening via appropriate hinges, whereinholding-down means are formed on predetermined regions on the peripheralwalls which overlap with each other inside and outside of said box andsaid lid of said antitheft case, said holding-down means preventing theopen edge of the outer peripheral wall from being bent outwards when anexternal pressure is applied onto the surface of said antitheft casefrom at least one direction.
 4. An antitheft case comprising a boxhaving an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity, and alid which opens and closes said opening via appropriate hinges, whereinconvex-concave portions are formed on the necessary regions on at leaseone open edge of the peripheral walls which overlap inside and outsideof said box and said lid of said antitheft case, said convex-concaveportions being designed to cause pain in a finger when someone tries topry them open.
 5. A case comprising a box having an opening from whichto insert and extract a commodity, and a lid which opens and closes saidopening via appropriate hinges, wherein a through portion is formed onone of necessary positions which overlap with each other inside andoutside the peripheral edges of said box and said lid, said throughportion making a key member pass through it in an extractable manner andestablish a latch relation, and a collision prevention portion is formedon the other necessary position in order to secure the closing of saidcase by avoiding the collision with said key member; and a latch meansis provided at the end of said key member with which to establish alatch relation so as to prevent the opening of said case at the time ofthe completion of the insertion of said key member.
 6. A case comprisinga box having an opening from which to insert and extract a commodity,and a lid which opens and closes said opening via appropriate hinges,wherein a pair of collision prevention portions are formed on anecessary position on the peripheral walls which overlap with each otheror oppose each other inside and outside the peripheral edges of said boxand said lid, said pair of collision prevention portions facing inwardfrom the open edge of said peripheral walls, and a latch means isprovided at the end of said key member with which to establish a latchrelation so as to allow said key member to be inserted between saidcollision prevention portions in a detectable manner and to prevent theopening of said case at the time of the completion of the insertion ofsaid key member.
 7. The case of claim 5 further comprising: bolt hookingportions which are dotted inside the side edges of said box and said lidthat are opposite to the sides having said hinges, and which have boltinsertion portions arranged in series along the side edges of said casewhen it is in the closed condition; the through portion of said keymember and the collision prevention portion being formed somewherecloser to said bolt hook portions on the peripheral walls between saidhinges and said bolt hooking portions; and a bolt member formed on thekey member, the bolt member passing through all said bolt insertionportions aligned to make a latched condition when said key member hasbeen inserted.
 8. The case of claim 6 further comprising: bolt hookingportions which are dotted inside the side edges of said box and said lidthat are opposite to the sides having said hinges, and which have boltinsertion portions arranged in series along the side edges of said casewhen it is in the closed condition; a passing collision preventionportion of said key member being formed somewhere closer to said bolthook portions on the peripheral walls between said hinges and said bolthooking portions; and a bolt member which passes through all said boltinsertion portions aligned to make a latched condition when said keymember has been inserted.
 9. A case comprising a box having an openingfrom which to insert and extract a commodity, and a lid which opens andcloses said opening via appropriate hinges, wherein bolt hookingportions are dotted inside the edges of the sides of said box and saidlid that can be opened and closed, and which have bolt insertionportions aligned along the side edges of said case when said case is inthe closed condition; a through portion is formed to make a key memberpass through it and be inserted in an extractable manner into theperipheral walls between said hinges and said side edges that can beopened and closed; and a bolt member which passes through all said boltinsertion portions aligned to make a latched condition when said keymember has been inserted.